The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-05-12
DR.. McGlynn's Land Theory.

From the Philadelphia Times.
If DIR. McGlynn understands his own
land theory, and expresses himself intel
llgibly, he believes that no owner of land
should profit by such ownership beyond
the original cost of the investment. In
otner words, he believes and teaches that
all accretions of value in land, by whom
soever owned belong to the people, and
that there must be common use and en-
ioyment of all issues and profits from en-
HANGED value.
Well, let US apply DR.. McGlynn's theory
at home. He confesses that his first duty
is to his church, Notwithstanding the tenn
porary issue he has with it's authority.
He publicly declares that papal deliver
ance against his land theory would make
him abandon it; but, let US make practi-
cal application of his doctrine at home
saw in his own church. The Catholic
church owns some millions of real estate
in Philadelphia, and it is to-day worth
from twice to quadruple what it cost.
Here is great field for division at once, if
DR.. McGlynn's theory is the correct one.
He may answer that it is church property,
and that profane hands should not be
laid upon it, but the hoodlun, who
gives DR.. McGlynn's speeches the heartiest
cheers, believes no more in churches than
he believes in labor, and the Protestant,
the Hebrew, the Free thinker should
logically unite for division of profits, be-
cause the Catholic church is the largest
landowner of the country. If DR.. Nc
Glynn's theory be correct, there is also
great wrong TO the multitude that should
bask in the fruits of the industry and fru-
gal care of others, in the fact that church
property is not taxed. 1t is largely land,
and the fact that millions of accretions in
value are enjoyed by churches, could be
no answer to DR.. McGlynn's argument
with ninety-nine of every hundred of his
followers. Most of them do not believe
in the Catholic religion; indeed, most OF
them have no faith in any religion, and
they would quite as willingly apply DR..
McGlynn's division theory to the land of
his church, as to the land of an Astor or
Vanderbilt. As rule, they are not parti-
cular about the owners, nor do they in
dulge in any sentiment, religious, politi-
cal or social, in regard to property that
has been acquired by the industry of
others while they have been indulging in
idleness. What they want is other peo-
pies property, and for that reason, and
that reason alone, they applaud DR.. Nc
Glynn.
Another feature that irresistibly OBJ
trudes itself into DR.. McGlynn's land
theory has not thus far been noticed in
any of his public addresses. Take the
period of generation, and the losses in
lop1 fro n oil To ha
profits. In most instances the same is
true of any score of years, and if accre-
tions in value are to be divided, must not
losses III value be divided also? Surely,
DR.. McGlyhr would not hold it as just that
a profit of ten thousand dollars realized by
land owner should be divided for the COM
mon good, when the same land owner has
lost quite as much in like land acquisitions
aud sales. The rule of every channel of
business is that losses and profits ace
nearly equal. Every dollar of gold or eil-
Yer produced costs the world two dollars
10 produce it, aud disastrous land specu-
lattons, averaged during the period of any
generation, quite equal all the profits.
How Is DR.. McGlynn's theory TO be APP
plIed i'll the line of Justice: Indeed, when
he attempts to apply it at all, he must be
lostin the utterly impracticable; and be-
yOnd the incentive to idleness, there is
nothing in his teachings to affect honest,
industrious citizens. His theory aims at
the overthrow of the sanctity of church
and the authority of state, and at the
overthrow of the love of home and the
pure affection that centers in its house
hold gods. he may be honest; he is so
esteemed by those who know him well;but,
if be Is honest, no man would turn from
the practical application of his theory
more speedily than would DR.. McGiynn.
In Palestine there is salt mountain